A Nevada father was criminally charged with abusing his 5-year-old daughter after she was found dead in their home last week.

KRNV reported that Reno police responded to a home and found Nicholas Loving’s daughter unresponsive on a mattress. The girl was cold to the touch and had various signs of trauma, including bruises on her face, pelvis, hips, and genitals.

Responding deputies reportedly observed 10 injuries on the girl’s face. Loving and his wife claimed their daughter was hit in the head with a bat, but they could not explain her other injuries, according to KRNV.

Loving allegedly provided officers with varying stories about what happened to the 5-year-old. He reportedly stated that the girl was sick and coughing up blood and mucus for nine to 10 days. The family claimed they were waiting for the 12-day mark to take her to the doctor, according to the Reno Gazette Journal.

Additionally, Loving’s wife allegedly told police that she witnessed Loving kick her daughter in the genitals and drag her by the hood or collar of her sweatshirt. Five days before her daughter’s death, Loving’s wife reportedly overheard Loving screaming and a thud consistent with a child being thrown.

“I should go to jail for not helping her, and Nick should go to jail for killing her,” the mother told officers, per the Reno Gazette Journal.

The couple reportedly said they waited hours to get help after finding their daughter dead because Child Protective Services was recently involved with the family. The nature of the agency’s involvement is unclear.

The Reno Gazette Journal reported that the girl’s mother was dating Loving in 2014 when he was convicted of abusing his 2-year-old son from a prior relationship. In that case, the boy had bite marks on his shoulder and a fractured arm.

Loving admitted to losing his temper while dressing his son, leading him to bite the boy and grab him by the arm. Loving was ultimately sentenced to 60 months of probation.

KRNV reported that Loving confessed to keeping his 5-year-old daughter in a makeshift 5-by-5-foot cubby. Court documents stated that the deceased girl slept on a crib-sized mattress on the floor while two other girls slept on a “nice queen-sized bed.”

Loving’s two other daughters allegedly told police that they were woken up and forced downstairs before Loving informed them of their sister’s death. Loving reportedly also told his daughters that they may have to go on a trip.

According to KRNV, Loving’s wife claimed Loving wanted to bury their daughter’s body in the backyard and flee to his parents’ home in Virginia. She reportedly objected — noting the girl’s body would rot.

Loving is charged with felony child abuse resulting in substantial bodily harm. The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office told the Reno Gazette Journal that Loving’s wife could be criminally charged as their investigation is ongoing.

Officials have not publicly named the deceased girl. Her cause of death also remains under investigation.

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